Big Issue No. 351 - Feb 19th

Squeeze into those ripped denims, toss that poodle haircut with pride, and headbang yourself into a moshpit frenzy, as this week sees the release of the fifth offering from Bradford's metal-lite four piece.  Except Terrorvision were always more melodic and pop-hooky than their spandex-treasured cohorts in Kerrang!, their true roots lying in the tuneful rocky wit of slade and Thin Lizzy.  Fourteen rumbustious years into their career and the formula remains unchanged - hairy-arsed, simple fun as the boys riff 'n' holler their way through a crate of ale.

The luminous cut 'n' paste sleeve signals the lack of corporate polish within, and sure enough lead-off single D'Ya Wanna Go Faster? sets the tone with it's hurtling mix of shoutalong chorus, blistering guitar and adolescent lyric's.  The pace scarcely lets up throughout the subsequent welter of speed spilling tales of excess and laddish gadding about. "party Over Here, Fuck You Over There", roars the refrain on Friends and Family (featuring the 'Tequila' girls on backing vocals - "Drinking and swearing on records and still underage!" gleefully lipsmacks the PR blurb) - typical Terrorvision in its pursuit of instant sexual gratification.

Of course, it's all escapist tosh of the first order - perfect pogo fodder for air-guitaring geeks in thrall to dreams of 'rawk' abandon.  Yet despite being the Wayne's World of heavy metal, there's something engaging about Terrorvision which disarms criticism of their need-you-more-than-ever, streets-on-fire bluster.

Further more, this crassly enjoyable collection of bubble-gum anthems can inspire even the dullest of listeners to throw daft axeman shapes. It all adds up to the ideal soundtrack for the best sixth-form snakebite-and-snog rave-up you never had.

    Party on, dudes.

3/5

PHIL MATHER